India, Oct. 2 -- After a bruising few months where his political shifts and public statements eroded his approval ratings, Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance made a comeback in the debate with Democratic VP nominee Tim Walz as the two candidates sparred over the economy, immigration, foreign policy, gun violence, abortion and the state of American democracy.

Hosted by CBS News's Norah O'Donnell and Margaret Brennan on Tuesday night eastern time, most snap polls billed the debate as a tie. But from the start of the debate, in what was clearly a conscious attempt to project himself as open and reasonable, Vance articulated his positions in a relatively non-confrontational and smooth manner. In contrast, Walz appeared nervous ini...